“In the year of our Lord 1314, patriots of Scotland, starving and outnumbered, charged the fields of Bannockburn. They fought like warrior poets. They fought like Scotsmen. And won their freedom.” – “Braveheart”
“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” – “Braveheart”
While visiting the William Wallace Memorial in Stirling, Scotland, I was filled with a sense of awe. These courageous men and their passionate quest for freedom were not just a great story dreamed up by a film producer – they were real men who bled, and died, for the chance to be free.
Since the moment I heard it, I’ve been captivated by the line, “they fought like warrior poets.” I’ve spent time mulling this over in my mind. What does it mean to be a warrior poet? And isn’t this the kind of life we’ve all been called to live?
This is not a new concept, by the way. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus told his disciples to live in this very same way: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). In other words, we face a bitter enemy. To be successful, we must live as warrior poets.
Warriors don’t simply wake up one day and randomly decide to throw themselves into the midst of a great battle. Instead, they plan ahead and train themselves so they will be prepared for the heat of battle when the time comes. Do you want to succeed in life? Think ahead, and do all you can to prepare yourself now for whatever may come your way.
Poets approach life in a more sensitive way – finding the beauty in even the most simple things. This is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of great mental prowess and strength. It takes enduring character to find the beauty in difficult circumstances.
As artists and as followers of Christ, we’re called to do both. We must be prepared for the battles ahead, and we must face them with both power and grace – with endurance and a heart of appreciation and gratitude.
Friends, let us live out the life of a warrior poet.
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Today’s post is part of the A-to-Z Challenge, where participants commit to posting one article for each day during the month of April – one for every letter of the alphabet.
Check back here at “The Artistic Christian” for a daily slice of art (art reviews, practical tips, and motivation for artists), all steeped in a rich Christian worldview.
The Artistic Christian 
Despite living so close by, and visiting Stirling quite often, I think I’ve only once been up the Wallace Monument. I agree it’s awe-inspiring though!
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An unforgettable experience, to be sure! I’ve always wanted to visit some of the colonial battlefields in New England, too. It’s on my bucket list!
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Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Reblogged this on ChristianBlessings and commented:
Shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves – let’s be what He wants us to be.
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